Q&A with Middleweight Isiah Seldon
Middleweight contender Isiah
Seldon took the time to answer a few questions before his big fight on
Saturday night against undefeated Joey Spencer. The eight-round bout will
be part of a broadcast on FOX (8 PM ET)
*Q*– How has your preparation been for this Saturday’s fight?
*IS-*- It’s been great. The best camp I have ever had.
*Q–* How long have you been in training? A lot of fighters have had
trouble finding places to train with Covid and the protocols that are in
place.
*IS*– I’ve been in the gym for quite a while now. Covid has definitely
changed the way the fight game is at the moment. I knew that the best
thing I could do was stay in shape. I knew I might get a great opportunity
on short notice and I wanted to be ready.
*Q-*- Where have you been training?
*IS:* I usually train at the Atlantic City P.A.L. with Bill Johnson but
the P.A.L. has been closed due to Covid. So now I have been training in
Philadelphia with Danny Davis.
*Q-*- Danny is an excellent trainer and has worked closely with a lot of
top fighters such as Bernard Hopkins. How is it working out and what have
you learned from Danny?
*IS*: Bill Johnson laid the foundation, and Danny has truly helped take
me to another level. I don’t want to get into too much detail, I am just
very excited for the world to see the improvements that I’ve made.
*Q:* Well the world will get that opportunity on January 30 when you take
on Joey Spencer in a bout televised on FOX. What do you know about Spencer?
*IS: * Joey Spencer is an excellent all around fighter, a solid undefeated
prospect. He is trained by his father who has done a great job with Joey.
He had a decorated amateur career. A lot of his fights are online so I
have been able to see a lot. He has fast hands, he puts his punches
together well. He like to dig left hands to the body. He can fight.
*Q:* What type of fight are you expecting?
* IS:* I expect Joey to come out fast in the opening round, trying to make
a statement. We have prepared all camp for that. He likes to work the
body. I had the best camp in my career. I am in the best shape of my
life. I am ready for 12 rounds (the fight is a scheduled 8 rounder). I
expect a fast pace.
*Q:* What have you done differently that makes you feel that this is your
best camp?
* IS:* I have prepared and been in the gym longer for this fight than any
other fight I have had. I had a full training camp. This is the first
time that I have been able to focus 100% on training. I didn’t have to
worry about work, bills or anything else. My team has made sure that all
of that was taken care of and the one and only thing that I had to focus on
was getting ready for January 30.
Also training in Philly has been great, it’s no joke. It was good to get
out of my comfort zone. Danny Davis has really pushed me. I am at a new
level.
*Q * I see that this bout is at a catch weight of 158. You have fought as
high as 168. Will making 158 be a problem?
* IS:* Absolutely not. We added a nutritionist to my team back in
October. I usually walk around at 175-180. In the past I would have to
cut weight late and it affected me. Now my nutritionist monitors my diet
and it has really helped my strength, recovery and energy. We have been on
a program to gradually drop the weight so I won’t be drained. We will
have no problem making 158 and we plan to be between 170 and 175 on fight
night.
*Q * It sounds like you are ready. Do you have any final thoughts?
* IS:* I am ready to fight right now. Joey is an excellent fighter. He
does a lot of things well. They have done a great job matching him so far
but they made a mistake in this fight, he hasn’t faced anyone like me. I
am the most prepared for a fight that I have ever been. I am excited to
showcase my skills on January 30.
